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Ari

"Will you turn that shit down?" I grumble as I walk into the garage where I see Johnny has his head under the hood of a car, music blasting. "Didn't think we'd be seeing you until tomorrow - you're gonna be kissing Andy's ass for the next year after what he's done for you".

It came as no surprise to learn that little brother was once again in the hands of the cops, nor did it when the call came in from my other brother telling me he'd managed to get the charges dropped and bailed him out in the process. Johnny's in his late twenties, but still loves to think he's at least ten years younger.

Johnny shrugs it off. Casual as ever. I'd kill to be his age again with no worries "You guys would've bailed me out either way".

"Would we?" I turn my head to the right at the voice of our other brother. Steve. He is leant against the wall, arms crossed and simply watching from behind his sunglasses like he usually does. He never says much, but when he does it's either a case of wisdom or comic relief. You rarely see him without the damn aviators either.

I walk over and pull them down as he yanks them back up. "Just checking you still got both eyes so you can see just how much of an idiot our little brother is".

"Seen enough". Is all Steve says and reaches for his takeout coffee on the workbench, taking a sip.

"Whatever, I wanna talk about Ari's girl, when do we get to meet her?" Johnny asks, looking up from under the hood.

I sigh. "By the way you're going, never".

"Oh c'mon Ar - if she's as pretty as we've heard she is then you wouldn't keep her from us".

"Not you...but I think we all know why I'm hesitant". I eye him knowingly. "Speaking of which, we heard from our business associate at all?"

Johnny shrugs and returns his focus to the car. "Last thing I got was that he was in Monaco or some shit like that. What's happening with the meds he's supposed to be dealing?"

"Probably dealing them as we speak to some clueless buyer for a hefty price".

"If Denny knew what was going on..."

"Denny knows well enough to turn a blind eye if he wants this precious town to be kept in perfect order with our help". I snap. "That was the deal. We scratch his back, he scratches ours".

Johnny snorts at this. "He's probably scratching Lloyd's balls rather than his back".

"He's scared of him, what Lloyd says goes - he may as well be Mayor of this place." I speak of our wonderful elder brother who calls the shots.

I disagree with a lot of it, but we've never really seen eye to eye. Most arguments usually end up with me and him in a yelling match. What Lloyd wants? Lloyd gets - part of the reason why I'm not telling him anything about Morrigan yet. He'll eventually find out though, but seeing as he's rarely in Sierra Ridge, we're keeping this to ourselves for now.

Steve simply says nothing, but listens to every word exchanged between us - more interested in finishing his coffee.

I shove my hands into my pockets. "You guys know what would happen. We don't even know if she's down for something like that anyway. But still, if something does happen then he's gonna want his share. It's risky her being associated with us anyway, especially as she's a newbie".

"Him and his stupid fucking rules". Steve mutters quietly to himself but I still hear him.

"So we keep her safe". Johnny shrugs. "From the enemy".

At this point I can't tell whether he's talking about Lloyd or others who we've had dealings with before. "It's her choice. If she wants one, none, or all of us - but right now? It's me" And I have a date tonight.

"Lucky bastard". Johnny grins and I cuff him gently round the back of the head. "You gonna bring her home?"

"Depends, and if I do you then make yourself scarce - don't need you scaring her off before I've even got to know her".

"You like her a lot then?"

I nod with a small smile to myself. "I do...more than any other girl I've dated. So don't fuck this up for me".

My little brother rolls his eyes. "I won't, can't make any promises about Steve though". He states as he walks by and receives another smack around the back of the head. A muttered 'fuck you' from Steve being heard as he goes to take some tools from the box. "What? She may take one look at you and run".

"Or she might decide to ride my dick rather than yours or Ari's". Steve retaliates quickly, and I can't help but grin as I head into the office to start work. I'd already text Mor earlier with some light teasing - however in return she decided to leave me on read. I have to leave it until lunchtime as work picks up. The usual flirtation through words continues and I couldn't be happier once the afternoon is over and we lock up.

"Give her a kiss from us, or more". Johnny says as he kick starts his bike and rides off, Steve just shaking his head before he follows. They're heading to another bar just out of town, giving me some privacy which is rare. Would be even better if they spent the night in others beds instead of their own, but I just know they'll come home in the anticipation and hope of potentially seeing Morrigan in the morning.

As much as I hope they do - just because I want to be a smug bastard - at the same time it's her call as to what happens tonight.

If she wants this, it's her decision.

And if she wants something more? Even better.

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